Talking With Kids

[Maddy]

On Sunday, on our way to Bird Club, my mom had to run into a little restaurant to grab something. I had to sit at an outside table, because I had Peatree and Jester with me, and I was not going to leave them in the car. After I sat down I put Peatree on my knee and Jester's carrier up on the table. After a few seconds of starring, a little boy, who looked to be about 10, came over.

Our conversation went like this.

Boy: Hello
Me: Hi!
Boy: What kind of bird is that? *Points to Peatree*
Me: That's Peatree, she is a Pineapple Green Cheek Conure, and that is Jester. He is a citron cockatoo.
Boy: *Calls to little sister* Do you want to see some birds?
*Little girl comes over*
Boy: Can I pet her? (Taking about Peatree)
Me: Sure, but don't get too close to her head.
*Little boy starts petting Pea, and then the little girl takes a turn.*
*Then the little girl starts talking to Jester in a different language*
Me: Jester can talk! *Starts rambling in a high pitched baby voice to encourage him to talk*
Jester: Hi Baby! *Kisses* Hi! Hi Jester!
*Kids smile and laugh*
Boy: How old is he?
Me: Jester is 16 years old. He's older then me!
Boy: How old are you?
Me: Um I'm "says age"
Boy: How old is she? *Points to Peatree*
Me: She is five years old.
Girl: Just like me!
*Little kids go back to their table*

A minutes or two later

Boy: Can birds talk in french?
Me: Yes!
Girl: Can yours?
Me: Nope, sorry sweetie.
Boy: Do you work at a pet shop?
Me: *Trying not to burst into laughter*
Me: No, I'm just going to a Bird Club.

Then my mom came out, and I said goodbye to the little kids, and their parents thanked me for talking to them.

I think that's the most hilarious thing anybody has asked me while out with my birds. "Do you work at a pet shop?" :th_loltears:

[Honesty]

LOL Maddy, that is so funny! Oh the innocence of young children :)

[kendrafitz]

That is awesome!!! Those kids probably went home and added "a bird just like Jester but can speak French" on their list for Santa! ;)

[Mare]

I love your story but am in a quandary about why you would be perplexed about working in the pet shop question? Is there something I don't know?

[Turquoise]

That is really cute Maddy. I bet the kids asked Santa for a bird too. :)

I'm curios as well about why working in a pet shop would be so hilarious? I once wanted to work in one in my area. I would have if they'd had an opening many years ago. I could not think of a more fun thing to do than be around all kinds of critters that I could love and take care of til they found a home. My son told me it would never work as I would be bringing home critters weekly and the house would be overrun. I think he was afraid I would be looking to move him out so I could use his room for cages. LOL

[Maddy]

Oh! There is nothing wrong with working in Pet Shops, in fact I would love for that to be one of my first jobs. In my eyes, I don't look nearly old enough to be working anywhere, and I find it hilarious that the kids thought that just because I had birds with me. :th_biggrin:

I'm so sorry if I offended anybody!

[Turquoise]

Oh no Maddy, no offense at all. I was just curious as to the funny part. I wasn't thinking about your age. I can see why it was funny now. We tend to forget people's ages just seeing words written without a face to look at. And you are such a regular around here, you are one of the gang/flock. :)

[Mare]

No offense here, Maddy. I would have loved to have a pet shop be part of my résumé! :). Being able to communicate with kids is an art. Having birds in the mix..is really special! :)

[Debra]

That's great Maddy. What a funny story. I bet those kids talked about Jester and Peatree all day after that.

I've got a story about a kid too so I may as well put it here. Monday afternoon I had a student get on my bus who was going to grandmother's house so he doesn't normally ride. I told him to sit in the last seat behind me. He sat in a seat in the middle of the bus. When the kids who sit in that seat got there, they told him to get out of their seat. I heard this and looked in my mirror. I then told the boy "I told you to sit in the last seat behind me." He got up and said "Which one is the last seat?"! Everyone on the bus (even his older brother) was dumbfounded. I mean, the last seat is the last seat. lol